From consumer to pro, nine Nikon DSLRs get updated firmware

We're starting to get the feeling there's a contest on, and the contestants have forgotten to tell us. One after another since the start of the year, camera manufacturers have been taking turns to release huge rafts of updates for their interchangeable-lens cameras. First Pentax updated six of its DSLRs in the dying days of January, then Sony followed up with new firmware for no less than ten Translucent Mirror and mirrorless cameras in mid-February. There's been a brief lull, but the game is on once more, as Nikon releases updates for an impressive nine digital SLRs in one fell swoop.

Nikon's new firmware spans a wide gamut, all the way from the entry-level Nikon D3200 digital SLR to the professional-grade D4. One update in particular -- new support for the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E lens -- is extended even to several pro SLRs from as long ago as August 2007, showing impressive commitment to those who make their living out of their cameras! In all, the list of updated cameras includes the Nikon D3200, D7000, D600, D800, D800E, D3, D3X, D3S, and D4.

Among nine SLRs covered by today's updates, the D7000 gets the most model-specific tweaks. Eight bugs are squashed, and support for one new lens -- the sole shared update -- is added.

Most of the firmware changes are specific to one camera model, but a few apply to multiple models, giving an interesting insight into how code and development resources are shared across cameras aimed at wildly differing market segments.

The list of changes is as follows, with updates applicable to multiple models grouped together to avoid repetition:

All cameras except D3200:

Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.

Nikon D7000

An error where the card may not have been recognized when some memory cards were used has been addressed.

The following issues occurred when the mode dial was rotated from U1 or U2 to another shooting mode or from another shooting mode to U1 or U2 when the power was off or when the exposure meters are off (Auto meter-off). These issues were resolved.

A new folder is sometimes created despite the fact that the current folder does not yet contain 999 files and none of the files are numbered “9999”.

The number of remaining exposures may not be displayed as specified in the settings.

The setting for Role played by card in Slot 2 may change between Overflow, Backup, and RAW Slot 1- JPEG Slot 2.

An issue where Battery info in the setup menu sometimes showed sufficient remaining charge even when the remaining charge for the AA batteries inserted in the MB-D11 battery pack was low has been resolved.

An issue where a saved photo may not have been displayed properly when a movie was displayed in playback mode while saving the photo has been resolved.

An issue where zoom in or zoom out may not have performed properly when the playback zoom in or playback zoom out button was pressed while in Live view has been resolved.

The message displayed when the internal memory of the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 is formatted from the Format transmitter's memory under Device settings in Wireless transmitter of the camera’s setup menu was changed from Done to Built-in memory formatted.

Nikon D3200:

The following functions have been changed with shooting using the Wireless Mobile Utility.

When the camera's shooting mode is set to Auto or Auto (flash off), it now operates in Auto or Auto (flash off) mode. Prior to this upgrade, the camera functioned in [P] (Programmed auto) exposure mode.

Live view can now be initiated even when the camera is set to "Auto" or "No flash" in GUIDE mode.

Nikon D3200, D800 and D800E

In some very rare cases when certain memory cards were used, movie recording would stop, even when the time remaining display indicated remaining recording time. This issue has been resolved.

Nikon D3200, D600, D800, D800E and D4

In some very rare cases, colors would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific color temperature, as with Preset manual or Incandescent. This issue has been resolved.

Nikon D600

Frame output size has been changed from 95% to 100% when movie live view display is changed to "Information off" and an HDMI-compatible device is connected.

An issue that caused the right edges of images to be somewhat white when captured at an Image area setting of DX (24x16) 1.5x with Active D-Lighting set to Off has been resolved.

When the camera's shutter-release button was pressed repeatedly for uninterrupted shooting with the "Record to:" option in Camera Control Pro 2's Storage tab set to "PC+CARD", the camera would stop responding with displaying "Err" in its control panel. This issue has been resolved.

Nikon D600, D800, D800E and D4

Subject tracking performance in AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) autofocus mode with framing using the viewfinder has been improved.

Nikon D800 and D800E

Gamut for Adobe RGB images displayed in the camera's monitor has been changed. This enables more vivid display of images.

Nikon D800, D800E and D4

With live view photography in [M] (Manual) exposure mode, exposure preview was always on. This issue has been resolved.

With shooting at an image quality setting of TIFF (RGB) and an image size setting of Small, the right edge of images contained a purple line. This issue has been resolved.

In some rare cases, images recorded in JPEG format could not be opened by some software applications. This issue has been resolved.